The Role of the Innate Immune System in Childhood Asthma Development
The aims of this project are:
- Analyse gene expression of Toll-like receptors TLR2 and TLR4, and of CD14 in blood samples collected from 250 farmers infants and 250 control infants.
- Analyse cell surface expression of TLR2, TLR4 and CD14 in blood samples from the same population using flow cytometry.
- Assess whether expression of these receptors at either gene or cell surface is associated with farm and/or endotoxin exposure.
- Assess which particular cell populations in blood show modulation of TLR2, TLR4 and CD14 due to farm/endotoxin exposure.
- Assess whether expression of these receptors is associated with TH2 activity, allergies and symptoms of asthma.